Folding crank arm assembly

ABSTRACT

A folding crank arm assembly is disclosed which is particularly useful on a fishing reel, and more particularly a spin casting reel. The assembly includes a crank arm, crank knob, and crank knob carrier. The crank arm includes a hinge lock assembly comprising a pair of offset pivot ears having a single hole in each, a spaced pair of snap jaws, and a crank knob carrier having a locking offset which is received by the opposed locking jaws, and a pair of opposed pivot pins which are positioned for rotation within the holes in the pivot ears. When the knob is to be positioned in approximate parallel relationship with the crank arm, it is pressed along the longitudinal axis of the crank arm and the locking offset snaps free of the locking jaws and the knob swings into a pivotally remote position from its operative position. Reversely, when the knob is to be used, it is pivoted toward a position with its axis perpendicular to the crank arm and snap fittingly engages the offset jaws. A lock plate is also provided for lockingly engaging the crank knob carrier in its parallel relationship with the crank arm by snap fittingly overriding at least one of the pivot ears once the locking offset has been snap fittingly engaged by the offset jaws.

United States Patent 1 Gename [451 Jan. 28, 1975 1 FOLDING CRANK ARMASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: [73] Assignee: Popeil Brothers, 1ne., Chicago,Ill.

[22] Filed: July 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 376,967

John L. Gename, Naperville, 111.

[52] U.S. Cl. 242/84.l J, 74/547 [51] Int. Cl.... G05g 1/00, AOlk 89/00,AOlk 87/00 [58] Field of Search... 242/841 J, 84.2 A, 84.21 A;

Primary Examiner--Billy S. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dominik,Knechtel, Godula & Demeur [57] ABSTRACT A folding crank arm assembly isdisclosed which is particularly useful on a fishing reel. and moreparticularly a spin casting reel. The assembly includes a crank arm.crank knob, and crank knob carrier. The crank arm includes a hinge lockassembly comprising a pair of offset pivot ears having a single hole ineach, a spaced pair of snap jaws, and a crank knob carrier having alocking offset which is received by the opposed locking jaws, and a pairof opposed pivot pins which are positioned for rotation within the holesin the pivot ears. When the knob is to be positioned in approximateparallel relationship with the crank arm. it is pressed along thelongitudinal axis of the crank arm and the locking offset snaps free ofthe locking jaws and the knob swings into a pivotally remote positionfrom its operative position. Reversely, when the knob is to be used, itis pivoted toward a position with its axis perpendicular to the crankarm and snap fittingly engages the offset jaws. A lock plate is alsoprovided for lockingly engaging the crank knob carrier in its parallelrelationship with the crank arm by snap fittingly overriding at leastone of the pivot ears once the locking offset has been snap fittinglyengaged by the I offset jaws.

6 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTH] JAN 2 8 I975 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 10

PATENIEI] JAN 2 8 i975 SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG.

FOLDING CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thesubject folding crank arm assembly is particularly useful in a spincasting outfit of the character disclosed in United States PatentApplication Ser. No. 269,815 filed July 7, I972, now abandoned, relatingto a product sold by applicants assignee under the trademark POCKETFISl-IERMAN.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The subject foldingcrank arm assemblyrelates to cranks in general which are manipulated byhand to rotate any product. The same finds particular usage inconnection with fishing reels, and is specifically adapted to spincasting reels.

2. Prior Art Traditionally a crank arm assembly for fishing reel, orspin casting reel, includes a crank arm, a crank knob, and a crank knobrivet which pivotally and fixedly secures the crank knob to the crankarm. The crank arm is secured to the host fishing reel by means of aknurled thumb nut and removed from the fishing reel by means of removingthe knurled thumb nut and removing the handle. Quite obviously, when oneis fishing, and the nut becomes loose, and the fingers are cold, the nutmay drop off and the reel is rendered useless. It is much moreadvantageous to have the crank arm more permanently secured to the reel,and when wishing to render the unit more compact for carrying, toprovide for swiveling the crank knob intoa position out of the way. Thisbecomes particularly desirable in the product known as POCKETFlSl-IERMAN which is the subject of US. Patent Application Ser. No.269,815 filed July 7, 1972 as set forth above.

SUMMARY The present invention seeks to provide a folding crank armassembly for use on a spin casting reel, and more particularly where thespin casting reel is encased in a housing having a rod extending fromone direction, and a closed C-shaped handle extending from the otherdirection. By providing the crank arm with a hinged lock assembly, andthe knob with a carrier having a locking offset which engages a pair ofopposed yieldable locking jaws on the crank arm, and is secured by meansof a pair of pivot ears on the crank arm to a pair of pivot pins on the.carrier, the knob may be swiveled into a position substantially paralleland beneath the crank arm by pivoting the same and releasing it from theyieldable locking jaws. In addition, once the crank knob carrier hasbeen swiveled into its use position such that the locking offset hasbeen engaged by the pair of opposed yieldable locking jaws on the crankarm, a pivotal lock plate including a curvilinear lock flange may bepivotally swung into position by overriding at least one of the pivotears, thereby to retain the locking offset in snap fitting engagedposition with respect to the opposed locking jaws on the crank arm.

One of the principal objects achieved by the present invention is toprovide a folding crank arm assembly which can be more permanentlysecured to a fishing reel than the present construction in which a thumbnut is employed for securing the crank arm to the fishing reel.

A related and most important object of the present invention is toprovide a folding crank arm assembly in which the crank knob, when usedparticularly in connection with the POCKET FISHERMAN" spin castingfishing rig ofU.S. application Ser. No. 269,815 filed July 7, 1972, willrender the same more compact for carrying either in the clothing of thefisherman, or encased in a briefcase glove compartment of a car,suitcase, or any other close quarters for storage or transporting.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldingcrank arm assembly highly useful in connection with a spin casting reel,the cost of which is only modestly increased over a fixed crank armassembly, and yet affording and achieving all the objects of theinvention as set forth above.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldingcrank arm assembly useful particularly with afishing reel which can besubstituted for an existing crank arm assembly, either in originalmanufacture or by way of retrofit.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent as the following description of anillustrative embodiment proceeds, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the subject folding crank armassembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the folding crank arm assembly illustrating inphantom lines the crank knob and crank knob carrier in the retractedposition.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the relationship in thereleaseably locked position between the crank knob carrier and the crankarm taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the crank arm.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the crank arm.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the crank knob carrier.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the crank knob carrier.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the pivot pins on the crank arm carriertaken from the area designated by the circle 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view of a product sold in the trade as the POCKET FISHERMANthe subject of US. application Ser. No. 269,815 filed July 7, I972,illustrating the utility of the subject folding crank arm assembly onthat device.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the same fishing rig shown in FIG. 9illustrating the folding crank arm assembly with the crank knob in theretracted position.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a typical spinning reel mounted to a rodillustrating a two position configuration utilization of the subjectfolding crank arm assembly and how the dimensional space required forthe reel can be reduced by folding the crank knob carrier and knob intothe retracted or out of action configuration.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the subject folding crankassembly including the lock plate and its relationship with respect tothe crank arm and knob;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the crank arm, crank knob carrier,knob, and lock plate in assembled relationship with the knob carrierpivotally secured in its use position;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, showing therelationship between the crank knob carrier, hinge lock assembly, pivotears, and lock plate;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view showing the details of constructionof the lock plate;

FIG. 16 is a top view showing the details of construction of the top ofthe lock plate;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The folding crank arm assembly ofthe subject invention will best be understood by referring to a typicalusage in a fishing rig such as illustrated in two examples and FIGS. 9through 11 inclusive. Turning to the latter, FIG. 11, it will be seenthat a fishing rig 1 is shown in top elevation which has a fishing rodat its forward or left hand portion, and a handle at the right handportion. A fishing reel is mounted in the center and is supplied with aretractable handle assembly 10. As will be observed, the crank knob 12may be positioned in a retractable configuration closely adjacent thehandle 3 of the fishing rig 1, or extended into the operativeconfiguration such as shown in the phantom lines in FIG. 11. In theretracted position, the crank knob 12 is less likely to snag on loosefishing line, hooks, clothing, or other fishing paraphernalia.

Still another useful environment for the folding crank arm assembly isillustrated in FIGS. 9 and where it is shown used in conjunction with afishing rig 1 sold to the trade and generally known as the PocketFisherman spin casting outfit, the subject of US. patent applicationSer. No. 269,815 filed July 7, 1972. There it will be seen that thefishing reel (unshown) is hidden within the housing 6, and the handle 3is a closed C shape member leaving a handle opening 4 in the center. Asillustrated particularly in FIG. 10, the crank knob 12 can be retractedinto closed juxtaposed relationship with the open handle 3, and thusdoes not have to be disassembled from the fishing reel 5 to compact thesame for the carrying configuration when out of use. Thus, in twoseparate types of fishing rigs, it will be seen that a folding crank armassembly 10 such as illustrated which permits the crank knob 12 to beretracted finds significant utility and desirable application. In bothinstances, removal of the crank arm nut 7 is not required in order toposition the crank knob 12 in its inactive or folded configuration.Recognizing that the folding crank arm assembly has the usefulapplication wherever the same may be secured by means of a crank arm nut7, or similar equivalent fastening device to a fishing reel, it will beseen that the elements which make up the folding crank arm assembly 10as shown in FIG. 1 are simple, easy to operate, and inherentlyinexpensive and economical.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, the folding crank arm assembly includes acrank arm 11 which is secured by means of the mounting hole 24 to thefishing reel 5. The nut 7 (not shown in FIG. 1) is conveniently employedfor that purpose. The crank knob 12 is secured by means of the knobrivet 29 to the crank knob carrier 14. The rivet is secured to the knobmount offset 30 of the crank knob carrier'at a position remote from thepivot pins 28 which extend from the locking offset portion 19 of thecrank knob carrier 14. The crank arm 11 is provided at one end with themounting hole 24 which as stated above, may be secured to a fishing reel5 by means of an arm mounting nut 7. Remote from the mounting hole 24,provision is made for a hinge lock assembly 15 to removably secure thecrank knob car rier 14 and crank knob 12 as an extension of the hingelock assembly offset 21. This is achieved by means of pivot ears 16which depend from the hinge lock assembly offset 21, and are providedwith pivot ear holes 18 to receive the pivot pins 28 of the crank knobcarrier 14, and when the crank knob carrier 14 is pivoted, the opposedsnap jaws 20 secure the same by grasping the lateral edges of thelocking offset 19 of the crank knob carrier 14.

In more specific detail, noting particularly FIG. 3, it will be seenthat the locking offset 19 must pass through the centrally bent snapjaws 20. The snap jaws 20 are provided with a radius 25 at their centralends in order to pass the locking offset 19 into its nestedconfiguration as-shown in FIG. 3.

The relationship between the various offset members is illustrated inFIG. 2 where it will be seen that the offset reel mount 22 and hingelock assembly offset 21 provide for clearance (see particularly FIGS. 10and 11) so that the hand of the user grasping the crank knob 12 androtating the folding crank arm assembly 10 will be free of the fishingrig 1. In carrying the fishing rig 1 when out of use, the very reverseis required.

This is achieved by moving the crank knob 12 into the configurationshown by the phantom lines in FIG. 2, where it is shown how the crankknob 12 is pivoted downwardly into the storage position. The knob mountoffset 30 on the crank knob carrier 14 in conjunction with the lockingoffset 19 thereof, provides for a mounting of the knob 12 in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 as though the knob carrier 14 were anintegral part of the hinge lock assembly offset 21 of the crank arm 11.

The relationship between the pivot ears 16 which receive the pivot pins29 of the crank knob carrier 14 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. These aresecured within the pivot ears 16, and more specifically in the pivot earholes 18. Advantageously the pivot pins 28 when formed by stamping thecrank knobs carrier 14 are given the octagonal cross section as shown inFIG. 8. This cross section proves desirable since it is economical toform from a stamping, and provides for point contact at several contactpoints thereby mounting the crank knob carrier 14 for a rolling type orpivoting type folding away from the hinge lock assembly 15.

It becomes apparent that the two principal elments of the folding crankarm assembly 10 are the crank arm 11 and knob carrier 14, both of whichcan be formed from stampings of either stainless steel, or other durablemetal which is plated. The crank knob 12 is of standard construction,and secured to the crank knob carrier 14 by means of the knob rivet 29.As compared with a standard or conventional crank arm, only oneadditional part is required, the balance of the members being formed todefine the hinge lock assembly 15 at the end of the crank arm 11 thecrank knob carrier 14 being the additional part.

With reference to FIGS. 12 through 18 of the drawings, the details ofconstruction of the lock plate 35,

and its relationship with respect to the crank arm assembly isillustrated. With specific reference to FIG. 12 of the drawings, thelock plate 35 includes a base platform 37, having a mounting aperture39, positioned adjacent the forward end of the platform 37. In theassembled position, the knob rivet 29 passes through the crank knob 12,mounting aperture 39, and then through the mounting aperture provided inthe locking offset 19. As assembled, the lock plate 35 is freelypivotable about the knob rivet 29. It is also apparent that the baseplatform 37 of the lock plate 35 is interposed between the knob 12 andthe knob mount offset 30.

The lock plate 35 further includes a peripheral skirt 41 depending fromone of the lateral edges of the lock plate 35, in the manner shown inFIGS. 12 and 14 of the drawings. The peripheral skirt 41 extendsdownwardly for a distance and terminates in an inwardly turnedcurvilinear locking flange 43, the curvilinear construction of thelocking flange 43 being designed so as to snap fittingly engage thecorresponding pivot car 16 positioned on the same side of the hingedlock assembly offset 21 which corresponds with the peripheral skirt 41.The opposed lateral edge of the lock plate 34 includes a release wing 45which functions for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

The details of construction of the lock plate 35 are illustrated inFIGS. 12 through 18 of the drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings, the relationship ofthe lock plate 35 with respect to the crank knob carrier 14, hinge lockassembly 15, and hinge lock assembly offset 21 is illustrated. As notedabove, the lock plate 35 is pivotally secured intermediate the crankknob 12 and the crank knob carrier 14 by having the knob rivet body 29pass through the knob 12 rivet shoulder, mounting aperture 39, andthrough the mounting hole 39, in the knob mount offset 30. The

vertical distance between the lower surface of the base I platform 37,and the uppermost portion of the locking flange 43 is slightly less thanthe overall vertical height measured from the top of the hinge lockassembly offset 21, and the lower edge of the pivot ear 16. Due to thesesize dimensions, as well as to the curvilinear configuration of thelocking flange 43, a snap fit relationship is achieved between acorresponding pivot ear 16, and the locking flange 43 of the lock plate35, thereby to achieve the locking position for lockingly engaging thecrank knob carrier in its use position with respect to the hinge lockassembly offset 21 in order to release the crank knob carrier 14 fromlocked engagement with respect to the hinge lock assembly offset 21, theoperator need only press against the release wing 45 in the directiontoward the peripheral skirt 41, causing the curvilinear locking flange43 to ride over the corresponding pivot ear l6 and moving the lock platein an arcuate path out of the locked position. Once the lock plate 35has been moved out of locked position with respect to the hinge lockassembly offset 21, the crank knob carrier 14 may be disengaged from theyieldable snap jaws 20 in the manner previously described, and the crankknob carrier 14, then folded into its storage position.

The significance of the particular construction and configuration of thelock plate 35, resides in the details of construction whereby theperipheral skirt 41 is disposed along the peripheral edge of the lockplate 35, which in use, parallels the direction of the application ofeffort by the operator. In other words, once the crank knob carrier 14has been pivoted upwardly into its locked position with respect to thehinge lock assembly offset 21, and as the operator commences using thefishing rig l and turning the crank knob 12 in a clockwise direction inthe manner employed during the fish ing operation. this motion or effortpresses downwardly against the peripheral skirt 41 tending to maintainor tighten the lock relationship between the curvilinear locking flange43 and the pivot car 16. Hence. the clockwise rotational movement of thefolding crank arm assembly has the tending to maintain the lock plate 35in its locked relationship with respect to the hinged locked assemblyoffset 21. Clearly, if the peripheral skirt 41 and locking flange 43were positioned on the opposed peripheral edge of the lock plate 35, thereverse operative forces would be in effect, and it would be difficult,if not impossible to maintain a locked relationship between the lockplate 34, and the hinge lock assembly offset 21, assuming that the reelassembly operates by moving the crank arm assembly 10 in a clockwisedirection.

Furthermore, it will be observed that the release wing 45 is providedalong the lateral edge opposed to the positioning of the peripheralskirt 41 such that when the operator wishes to release the lock plate35, he may position his thumb along the outside surface of the releasewing 45, and press against the normal effort of the curvilinearconfiguration of the locking flange 43 with respect to the pivot ear 15causing the locking flange 43 to ride over the pivot ear 16 into itsunlocked position. The positioning of the operator's thumb relative tothe release wing 45 is shown in phantom in FIG. 14 of the drawings.

Hence, to release the crank knob carrier 14 from the hinge lock assemblyoffset 21, the lock plate 35 is ridden out of its locked position topermit the crank knob carrier 14 to be pivotally disengaged with respectto the yieldable snap jaws 20 and moved downwardly into its storageposition.

The lock plate 34 may further include additional optional features ifdesired. It is quite well known to those engaging in the fishing sportthat inmost reel assemblies the knob generally has a loose fit withrespect to the knob rivet 29. It is generally assumed that this loosefit must be maintained in order to ensure that the greatest relativedegree of rotational movement is afforded the knob when attempting touse the reel. However, it is believed that in many cases, the knob is soloosely positioned on the knob rivet that oftentimes breakage oc curs oralternatively, the knob may easily become disengaged from the knobrivet. In the optional embodiment envisioned herein, the forward end ofthe base platform 37 of the lock plate 35 may be provided with anupwardly curved curvilinear cross section, such that when the lock plate35 is interposed between the knob 12 and the knob mount offset 30, theupper surface of the base platform 37 will function as a leaf springrelative to the knob 12. This is especially so if the lock plate 35 ismade from a yieldable material such as leaf spring steel, or the like.In this manner, a sufficient amount of looseness may be retained in theknob 12, without at the same time permitting so much looseness that theknob 12 may easily become damaged or disengaged from the knob rivet 29.

While the foregoing description has proceeded on the assumption that thecrank arm 11, crank knob carrier l4, and rivet 29 are metallic, theinvention contemplates also the same general configuration but moldedfrom plastic, or formed from pressed powdered metals, or combinationsthereof. The reference to metal stamping is made because of economy,durability, and close proximity to retrofit or application to existingcomparable crank arm.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in full here, there is no intention to thereby limit theinvention to the details of such embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternatives, embodiments,usages and equivalents of a folding crank arm assembly as fall withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, specification and the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding crank arm assembly comprising in combination,

a crank arm,

a crank knob,

a crank knob carrier,

an offset provided on said crank knob carrier proportioned and orientedto position the crank knob in the operative position with its baseapproximately parallel to the crank arm,

a hinge lock assembly provided at one end of the crank arm,

a lock plate,

means for pivotally mounting said lock plate in interposing relationshipbetween said crank knob and said crank knob carrier,

said lock plate including lock means for locking said crank knob carrierin engaged position with regard to said hinged lock assembly,

means for mounting the crank arm to a rotatable member at that portionopposed to the hinge lock assembly,

a pair of opposed pivot ears on the end of the crank arm havingapertures to receive pivot pins on the carrier,

pivot pins on the carrier for inserting and swiveling the same withinthe pivot ears of the crank arm, and a pair of opposed yieldable jaws ona portion of said crank arm remote from said rotatable member andproportioned and oriented to yieldably receive and removably secure thecrank knob carrier. 2. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 1above,

said remote portion of the crank arm being offset to mount the crankknob at a position remote from its attachment to the rotating member. 3.In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 1, said crank arm beingproportioned for use with a spin casting reel, a slot provided in anaperture at the end of the crank arm remote from the crank knob, andsaid means for mounting the crank arm to a retatable member comprising athreaded element for screw threadedly mounting the crank arm to saidrotatable member. 4. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim vlabove,

said lock means comprising a curvilinear inwardly turned locking flangefor snap-fittingly engaging at least one of said pivot ears on the endof said crank arm. 5. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 4above,

said curvilinear locking flange being positioned along the side edge ofsaid lock plate, such that the rotational effort applied to said foldingcrank arm assembly will tend to retain said lock plate in lockedposition with respect to said hinge lock assembly. 6. In the foldingcrank arm assembly of claim 1 above,

said lock plate further including a release wing positioned in opposedrelation with respect to said lock means, thereby to provide means forreleasing said lock plate from its locked position to an unlockedposition.

1. A folding crank arm assembly comprising in combination, a crank arm,a crank knob, a crank knob carrier, an offset provided on said crankknob carrier proportioned and oriented to position the crank knob in theoperative position with its base approximately parallel to the crankarm, a hinge lock assembly provided at one end of the crank arm, a lockplate, means for pivotally mounting said lock plate in interposingrelationship between said crank knob and said crank knob carrier, saidlock plate including lock means for locking said crank knob carrier inengaged position with regard to said hinged lock assembly, means formounting the crank arm to a rotatable member at that portion opposed tothe hinge lock assembly, a pair of opposed pivot ears on the end of thecrank arm having apertures to receive pivot pins on the carrier, pivotpins on the carrier for inserting and swiveling the same within thepivot ears of the craNk arm, and a pair of opposed yieldable jaws on aportion of said crank arm remote from said rotatable member andproportioned and oriented to yieldably receive and removably secure thecrank knob carrier.
 2. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 1above, said remote portion of the crank arm being offset to mount thecrank knob at a position remote from its attachment to the rotatingmember.
 3. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 1, said crank armbeing proportioned for use with a spin casting reel, a slot provided inan aperture at the end of the crank arm remote from the crank knob, andsaid means for mounting the crank arm to a rotatable member comprising athreaded element for screw threadedly mounting the crank arm to saidrotatable member.
 4. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 1 above,said lock means comprising a curvilinear inwardly turned locking flangefor snap-fittingly engaging at least one of said pivot ears on the endof said crank arm.
 5. In the folding crank arm assembly of claim 4above, said curvilinear locking flange being positioned along the sideedge of said lock plate, such that the rotational effort applied to saidfolding crank arm assembly will tend to retain said lock plate in lockedposition with respect to said hinge lock assembly.
 6. In the foldingcrank arm assembly of claim 1 above, said lock plate further including arelease wing positioned in opposed relation with respect to said lockmeans, thereby to provide means for releasing said lock plate from itslocked position to an unlocked position.